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Transformer arrives at Fernie Substation
It was a landmark day for the construction of Fernie’s new substation on Tuesday, June 27.
The substation’s new 25 mega-volt amp (MVA) transformer arrived on site and workers began work to move the 31,000-kilogram beast onto a concrete pad prepared for it. The custom-made transformer was manufactured in Korea and shipped by sea before making its way to Fernie.
A transformer is a piece of substation equipment that reduces voltage so electricity can be delivered through distribution lines for use in homes and businesses.
In another milestone for the project, brick cladding is now complete on the exterior of the substation’s new control building (pictured above). This architectural detail was added through consultation with the City of Fernie’s Design Review Panel to enhance the look of the substation with design accents consistent with Fernie’s downtown heritage theme.
The Fernie Substation was built in the early 1970s and is reaching capacity. It’s old and needs upgrading with new technology and equipment. This will allow BC Hydro to continue providing clean reliable power to the community–that’s about 5,000 homes and businesses–now and in the future. Work on the substation upgrade project began in September 2016 and the project is expected to be complete in spring 2018.
For more information, visit www.bchydro.com/ferniesub.
BC Hydro
